It feels like it was just yesterday that we celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2019, but now, in 2024, we have proudly reached our 25th anniversary. Over these past five years, we have witnessed significant changes in society and the economy due to the global spread of COVID-19.

Amid these shifts, I’ve become more determined than ever to turn LOOPWHEELER into a brand that will last for 100 years. Every day, I find myself thinking deeply about how we will navigate through the present and into the near future.

In my 17 years in the textile and fashion industries, working in everything from planning to production, I encountered the TSURIAMIKI (also known as the “Loop Wheel Machines” or “Switzer”). The fabric made with this machine fascinated me, and with the thought of preserving this disappearing technology from the era of Japan’s rapid economic growth, I founded LOOPWHEELER. It goes without saying that my passion for passing on TSURIAMIKI to the next generation was a driving force behind the brand’s creation. 

LOOPWHEELER, founded in 1999, is a reflection of myself (Satoshi Suzuki). I believe that without my own life experiences, the brand would not have been born.

Of course, at its core was my strong desire to shed light on the artisans working behind the scenes, whose dedication and pride in their craft are encapsulated in each sweatshirt. The concept of LOOPWHEELER, which aims to create “The world's most authentic sweatshirt”, has embodied a rebellious spirit within me, and it remains my personal mission to showcase the best of what Japan has to offer.

The TSURIAMIKI, the core of this concept, has become known among sweatshirt lovers worldwide, thanks to the 25 years we’ve dedicated to keeping it alive.

The machines we use today are nearly 100 years old. Up until the early 1960s, these slow, traditional machines, capable of knitting just one meter of fabric per hour, were the standard. But from the 1970s, the era shifted toward producing more products at faster speeds, leading to the rise of high-speed machines capable of knitting 10 to 30 meters per hour, controlled by computers, with little need for human intervention.

The TSURIAMIKI is sometimes referred to as a device that "weaves air." It turns at a speed slow enough to be seen with the naked eye—just 24 revolutions per minute—placing minimal stress on the thread. The fabric is gently pulled down by its own weight into a circular tray beneath the machine. This knitting process is the hallmark of a TSURIAMIKI producing a fabric that is soft to the touch and remarkably durable.

When it came time to name the brand, we naturally pondered our options. Back in 1999, the term "Loopwheel" didn’t appear in English literature or resources we had access to, especially since the internet was still in its infancy. After consulting with industry veterans, I recalled hearing someone refer to “Fleecy Fabric Knitted by Loop Wheel Machine.” From that conversation, we coined the term "LOOPWHEEL," connecting "loop" and "wheel," and added "er" to create “LOOPWHEELER,” our brand name.

Later, upon researching historical documents like the "Knitting Manufacturing Method" from 1929 and a textile dictionary from 1951, I discovered that "loop wheel" actually refers to a component of two types of knitting machines: the Loop Wheel Machine and the Tompkins machine. The latter, also known as the "winding-up machine," had a mechanism that lifted fabric toward the ceiling, which didn’t gain much popularity due to its awkward use among craftsmen.

Today, many people believe "loopwheel" is the official English name for the TSURIAMIKI, unaware that it was a term that we created. In reality, the correct term is "Loop Wheel Machine," and it applies to both the TSURIAMIKI and the Tompkins machine.

Understanding this, we officially decided to express "Loop Wheel Machines" as "TSURIAMIKI." Just as Japanese cultural elements like sushi, ramen, and yakitori have been embraced globally, we believe it’s crucial to share the culture of TSURIAMI with the world under the terms "TSURIAMI" and "TSURIAMIKI," especially as we look toward the future. We want to continue expressing this unique culture of “TSURIAMI” through LOOPWHEELER, a brand that uses only fabric made by TSURIAMIKI. This, we believe, helps convey Japan’s long-standing tradition of cherishing the old and imbuing everything with a soul.

Although the TSURIAMIKI is a machine with no soul or spirit, there are moments when, while working with it, it feels as though life has been breathed into it. Similarly, the sweatshirts produced by this machine carry a sense of life or spirit within them. It may sound strange, but I believe this is why our sweatshirts feel warm and comforting to those who wear them—because they are crafted by hand. I am convinced that the emotions and dedication of the artisans who support LOOPWHEELER are infused in every piece.

We hold the philosophy of "STAY SMALL, SLOW WORKS" very dear. By carefully and sincerely creating each Tsuriami sweatshirt, we hope to bring smiles and happiness to people all over the world who wear them. I believe that continuing to make LOOPWHEELER products will help build a culture of “TSURIAMI” that can only be done in Japan. It is our mission to continue this craft for over 100 years, just like Japanese traditional crafts. That is why we live each day with dedication, striving to meet tomorrow.

While numbers and specifications are important, what is even more valuable is the commitment to challenge ourselves continually. There will inevitably be times when we hit a wall and feel discouraged. But I believe it is the unshakable faith in our path, unwavering despite the obstacles, that resonates with people's hearts.

It's just a sweatshirt, but for us, it’s irreplaceable. We will continue making LOOPWHEELER sweatshirts, and we hope you will continue to support us.

— Keep Moving Forward —

Satoshi Suzuki

Founder & CEO of LOOPWHEELER